As India navigates a generational shift in Test cricket, Virat Kohli’s presence remains indispensable. While critics point to a recent lean patch with the bat, his unmatched experience, fitness, and fighting spirit offer far more than runs alone. Kohli’s ability to thrive under pressure and elevate team morale has been central to India’s success overseas and at home.
The Test arena is as much a test of mental toughness as it is of skill, and Kohli personifies grit and intensity. His aggressive competitiveness has transformed India’s mindset in red-ball cricket, particularly in challenging away tours such as Australia and England. Younger players joining the team still take his work ethic and discipline as a standard.
In addition, Kohli remains one of the fittest cricketers in international cricket, frequently setting an example with fielding standards and professionalism in general. With Indian cricket moving toward an era where several senior cricketers are approaching retirement or rotation, having a talent such as Kohli provides stability and guidance.
A brief fall from form shouldn’t eclipse a decade of dominance. Test cricket is premised on patience — something Kohli has mastered for years and now needs to impart. For India to transition with ease without losing its competitive bite, keeping Kohli in whites is not only strategic; it’s necessary.
